Sherlock Holmes awarded title for most portrayed literary human character in film & TV

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Having been depicted on screen 254 times, GWR today announces that Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective, has been awarded a world record for the most portrayed literary human character in film & TV.

Since his creation in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has been played by over 75 actors including Sir Christopher Lee, Charlton Heston, Peter O'Toole, Christopher Plummer, Peter Cook, Roger Moore, John Cleese, Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr (above).

Guinness World Records adjudicator Claire Burgess commented, "Sherlock Holmes is a literary institution. This Guinness World Records title reflects his enduring appeal and demonstrates that his detective talents are as compelling today as they were 125 years ago."

Through a combination of films, television series, dramas and documentaries, Sherlock's appearances beat the character of Shakespeare's Hamlet by 48 portrayals to claim the record.

However, Sherlock is not the overall most portrayed literary character in film. That title belongs to the non-human character Dracula, who has been portrayed in 272 films.

The record was recognised as part World Record London, a calendar of record-breaking events taking place in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

So far the project has overseen successful record attempts for the longest curtsey relay and the longest marathon hug, with future events set to include the Queen's Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on Sunday 3 June which hopes to break the record for the Largest parade of boats.